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It seems that my "road trip" scores, in addition to the rare 27KC20, also included a rarely-seen version of the 25LC30. In addition to the genuine wood veneer on its cabinet, the example I scored features an unexpected production variation in its chassis layout. Normally, as shown in the Sams folder for this model/chassis (#722-4), a two-section 80uF/475V+160uF/250V is employed, with its sections arranged as the +410V Filter and lower half of the Doubler respectively. In my example, model 5119 coded 66B26, two separate single-section cans are used with appropriate cutouts provided on the chassis and clearly as a factory-original variation. This discovery was made during setup for routine reforming and performance testing of the set's existing electrolytic capacitor complement.
Incidentally, is anyone familiar with the significance of the five-character codes printed in black ink on the rear covers of these sets and typically consisting of a two-digit number, a letter, and another two-digit number? As stated, this set is coded 66B26. My 5315/24MC32 is coded 67B08, my 5415/24MC32 bears the code 65D12. No code was found on the rear cover of the 5025/27KC20. Until encountering the code on the 5119 which does not fit my initial hypothesis, I had presumed these codes to identify the week of manufacture (65D12 as 4th week of December, 1965; 67B08 as second week of August, 1967). Not only does 66B26 not fit this pattern, but a manufacture date in 1966 for a VHF-only set does not appear to comply with the "All-Channel" requirement which became effective as of April, 1964. Since the set was purchased near the Canadian border, however, it might be possible for the set to have been produced for sale in Canada and thus exempt from rules which were applied only to sets which were to be distributed to American vendors. Such was the case with certain G.E. PortaColor sets manufactured for Canadian markets and only equipped with VHF tuners.
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